The 4 Super Basic Principles of My Pregnancy Diet

These are the 4 basic principles I’ve found myself eating by during this pregnancy. I’m so glad that in the year and half prior to this, I’ve solidified the desire and love of healthy habits – which made these things come easily and naturally to me. So grateful for that. Here’s what I’ve found works for me:

Don’t count calories, eat until you’re satiated but eat good things

The first thing I decided when I got pregnant was that I wasn’t going to count calories. I can easily drive myself crazy doing that and get a little OCD, and extra stress was the last thing I needed. So I decided I would simple allow myself to eat good, healthy foods until I was full. So far so good… in the first trimester I gained about 5 or 6 pounds. I’ll update you on the second once I’m through it!

If you shouldn’t eat it, don’t buy it

This is how I win more than half the nutrition battle! I just don’t allow myself to bring foods into the house that I know aren’t good for me, or that I know will be a trigger food for me. No chocolate, no ice cream, no freezer waffles, etc.

If I truly want to splurge and treat myself, we go out for that one thing at a restaurant so that I can have my one portion and not bring any home. It helps me feel both like I’m in control and living my healthiest life at home, and that I can totally have something unhealthy if I’m really, truly craving it. Nothing is totally off limits, but there are limits around unhealthy food.

When you feel your best, eat your best

In the first trimester, I didn’t feel well until about 3pm each day. That meant that from the time I woke up until the afternoon, I was just getting by. Trying to eat whatever helped my constant nausea, but keeping in mind junk food was definitely NOT going to help. So it was a lot of toast and almond butter, or pretzels and cheese, or apples. Sometimes eggs. Then for a late lunch and dinner when I was feeling my best, I made sure to be very purposeful and load up on protein and vegetables and healthy fats.

Second trimester has been flip-flopped. I feel great all day until about 4 or 5 pm. So now I’m front-loading my day with as many healthy foods as possible, knowing in the evening I might only manage a bowl of granola and almond milk. Usually this looks like a big bowl of eggs and vegetables for breakfast, and a salad or veggie wrap with chicken for lunch.

Balance Your Blood Sugar

This principle I learned while losing weight and it is one of those golden nuggets that has served me every single day. When you eat something high in sugar – even fruit, or simple carbohydrates – it causes your blood sugar to spike and puts you on a vicious cycle of not feeling full, your body storing fat, and craving more sugar. The way you prevent this is to eat foods that a) don’t spike your blood sugar, and/or b) pair sugar and carbs with protein and fats to slow the absorption and effect on your system.

It also means not allowing yourself to get too hungry, so I eat small snacks and meals every 2-3 hours, always being cognizant of what things I can pair together such as an apple with almond butter, or cheese and pretzels, strawberries and greek yogurt, or chicken and a tortilla.